Kick Some Ask! Seven UX and UI Designer Interview Questions for Making the Perfect Hire

For your company to thrive in today’s ever-shifting digital landscape, you need to hire UX and UI designers who can boost your online presence and make your business stand apart from the competition. The problem is, pretty much any UX and UI designer you come across will promise to do exactly that. So how do you separate the virtual wheat from the digital chaff? By asking the right questions. The right UX designer interview questions and UI designer interview questions don't just make you look smart – they help you identify candidates who won’t inspire eyeroll emojis.

How do you use white space effectively when designing?

Understanding how to use white space is a vital part of design (not to mention abstract expressionism). White space can be used for a variety of purposes: to accentuate certain aspects of a page, to separate visual elements from each other, or even just to make a page look more aesthetically pleasing. You want a designer who can properly utilize white space and articulate how and when it would best work for a specific site. In other words, someone who isn’t afraid to embrace the void.

Which fonts work best? Which don’t?

Fonts are arguably one of the most important aesthetic aspects of any website. Don't believe us? Think about all those sites you’ve clicked on and then promptly exited because they used Comic Sans (or even worse, Papyrus) for their headlines. While font trends come and go, the real criteria for choosing a font should be clarity and a positive UI – not style. A strong web designer will be able to explain why this is, and provide specific sites as examples.

What makes a good color scheme?

Along with fonts, the color scheme of your website is crucial when it comes to attracting – or repelling – visitors. A solid designer knows that certain color combinations are more appealing to the human eye and lend themselves to a positive UI, regardless of what’s trending. If the designer you’re interviewing has a portfolio full of millennial pink websites, be afraid – be very afraid.

What format do you use when you embed video content?

Hint: If their answer is “YouTube,” thank them for their time and stop wasting yours. The major browsers are continuously changing which formats of video they support. While it’s easy to fall prey to formatting issues beyond any single website’s control, nothing says #webfail to a user like a video that won’t load. Ask your candidate questions about video formatting to determine whether they have the knowledge to preempt any video snafus that are likely to arise.

What are some simple ways to optimize a website?

Knowing how to optimize a site is one thing, but being able to explain it is another. A good UX designer can clearly explain how to make it easy, breezy, beautiful Covergirl for visitors to navigate your site. People who have these communication skills are more likely to be willing partners. If, on the other hand, their articulation is limited to telepathy or a series of grunts, look elsewhere.

Does it matter how many H1 tags you have on a single web page?

This is a simple question, but it will give you an idea of the designer’s foundational knowledge. Surprisingly, many UX designers struggle with basic concepts like these. If they look at you like a deer in the headlights and ask what A1 Steak Sauce has to do with web design, you’ve got your answer.

What are the differences between the Mobile First and the Desktop First approaches to responsive web design?

Your designer should have a clear understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of multiple methods for writing CSS. If they dismiss the Desktop First approach as outmoded, you have our permission to narrow your eyes, flatten your ears, and hiss loudly at them. The more thorough a designer’s knowledge of various types of web design and development, the more likely that designer will be to identify and implement strategies that will make your site as effective as possible.

The right UX interview questions and UI interview questions can be a powerful set of tools when interviewing an applicant. Not only will these web designer interview questions turn you into an interviewing ninja, but they’ll help you quickly and effectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of potential candidates.

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